blackmail
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B2 noun, verb /ˈblækmeɪl/

blackmail

Meaning
the act of demanding money or advantage by threatening to reveal secrets; to force someone to act by using such threats
Example
He tried to blackmail her by threatening to reveal the documents.
B2 noun /ɪnˈspɛktər/

inspector

Meaning
An official employed to ensure regulations are obeyed or standards are met.
Example
The inspector carefully checked the restaurant's kitchen for hygiene standards.
B2 noun /heə(r)/

Hare

Meaning
a fast-running long-eared mammal that resembles a large rabbit
Example
The hare quickly ran across the field.
B2 adjective /trɪm/

Trim

Meaning
neat and orderly in appearance; slim and fit
Example
She keeps her garden very trim and tidy.
B2 noun /ˈjuː.sɪdʒ/

Usage

Meaning
the action of using something; the way in which words are used in a language
Example
The dictionary explains the correct usage of difficult words.
B2 noun /ˈvɜː.dɪkt/

verdict

Meaning
a decision made by a jury or judge in a court case
Example
The jury returned a guilty verdict after three hours of deliberation.
B2 adjective /dɪˈtætʃt/

detached

Meaning
separate or disconnected; showing a lack of emotional involvement
Example
He lived in a detached house away from the city.
B2 noun /djuː/

Dew

Meaning
tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night when atmospheric water vapour condenses
Example
The morning dew glistened on the grass.
B2 noun /ˌsɪm.ɪˈlær.ə.ti/

Similarity

Meaning
the quality or state of being similar; resemblance
Example
There is a striking similarity between the two paintings.
B2 noun/verb /bʌk/

buck

Meaning
A male deer; also to resist or oppose strongly.
Example
The horse began to buck wildly as the rider tried to hold on.
B2 noun /ˌsuːvəˈnɪər/

Souvenir

Meaning
a thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event; a memento
Example
I bought a small souvenir from the gift shop.
B2 noun /ɪnˈdjʊə.rəns/

endurance

Meaning
The fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.
Example
Running a marathon requires exceptional endurance.
B2 noun ˈlæbrətɔːriz

laboratories

Meaning
A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching, or for the manufacture of drugs or chemicals.
Example
Advanced laboratories enabled groundbreaking discoveries.
B2 adjective ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntl

instrumental

Meaning
Serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool; having a part in bringing about a result.
Example
Children can be instrumental in building a better society.
B2 noun /əˈpɒstrəfi/

apostrophe

Meaning
A punctuation mark (') used to indicate possession or the omission of letters or numbers.
Example
You need an apostrophe in the word 'children’s'.
B2 noun /ˈprɒbləm ˈsɒlvɪŋ/

problem-solving

Meaning
The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.
Example
Problem-solving skills are key to leadership.
B2 adjective /ˈprɛsɪŋ/

pressing

Meaning
Requiring immediate attention or urgent action.
Example
The manager had to deal with several pressing issues at once.
B2 noun /fɪɡ/

Fig

Meaning
a soft sweet fruit that is purple or green on the outside and has many small seeds
Example
The fig tree in our backyard produces delicious fruits every summer.
B2 noun /ˈliːtər/

litre

Meaning
a metric unit of volume equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters; commonly used to measure liquids
Example
She bought a litre of milk from the shop.
B2 verb /skwɒʃ/

squash

Meaning
to crush or squeeze something with force so that it becomes flat or broken
Example
She accidentally squashed the bug with her shoe.
B2 noun /spæn/

span

Meaning
the full extent or length of something from one end to another
Example
The bridge has a span of over 500 meters.
B2 noun ˌsɛlf.kənˈtrəʊl

self-control

Meaning
The ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and desires in order to obtain some reward, or avoid some punishment, typically in the longer term.
Example
Self-control is important for maintaining a balanced life.
B2 noun /ˈnuː.kʌm.ər/

New-comer

Meaning
a person who has recently arrived in a place or joined a group
Example
The newcomer was warmly welcomed by the team.
B2 noun /ˈhʌrɪkən/

hurricane

Meaning
A violent tropical storm with very strong winds and heavy rain.
Example
The hurricane destroyed hundreds of homes along the coast.
B2 verb /ˌriːəˈʃʊr/

reassure

Meaning
to say or do something to remove someone's doubts or fears
Example
The teacher reassured the students before the exam.
B2 noun /əˈmɛnəti/

amenity

Meaning
a useful or pleasant facility or feature of a place
Example
The apartment has every amenity needed for comfortable living.
B2 verb /kənˈstreɪn/

constrain

Meaning
to limit or restrict someone or something; to force or compel
Example
The new regulations constrain businesses from polluting the environment.
B2 verb /wɪp/

whip

Meaning
to strike or beat with a flexible instrument such as a rope or cord
Example
The trainer whipped the horse to make it run faster.
B2 noun /ˈkeɪ.ɒs/

Chaos

Meaning
complete disorder and confusion; a state of total confusion with no order
Example
The earthquake caused chaos in the city as buildings collapsed and people panicked.
B2 verb /ˌdɪskəˈnɛkt/

disconnect

Meaning
to detach or separate from a connection or source
Example
Please disconnect the charger from the power outlet.
B2 noun /ˈmɜːrtʃənt/

merchant

Meaning
a person or company involved in the trade of goods, especially in large quantities
Example
The merchant sold spices from distant lands.
B2 noun /ˈnuː.səns/

Nuisance

Meaning
a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance
Example
The constant noise from construction is a real nuisance.
B2 noun /ˈsliːpər/

sleeper

Meaning
a person or thing that sleeps; something that unexpectedly succeeds
Example
The movie turned out to be a real sleeper hit.
B2 noun ˌjuːtɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən

utilization

Meaning
The action of making practical and effective use of something.
Example
Increased plastic utilization calls for better waste management.
B2 noun /ˈækni/

acne

Meaning
a skin condition in which pores become inflamed and clogged, causing pimples and spots
Example
Regular cleansing and a balanced diet can help reduce acne.
B2 verb /ɪˈvoʊk/

evoke

Meaning
to bring a feeling, memory, or image into the mind
Example
The old song evoked memories of her childhood.
B2 noun ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ kɑːrz

flying cars

Meaning
Vehicles that can travel both on roads and in the air.
Example
Flying cars could soon solve urban traffic congestion.
B2 adjective /ˈvaɪəbəl/

viable

Meaning
Capable of working successfully; feasible.
Example
A viable solution is necessary for long-term success.
B2 noun /æmˈbæsədər/

Ambassador

Meaning
an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country
Example
The ambassador met with government officials to discuss trade agreements.
B2 noun /ˈaʊt.laɪn/

Outline

Meaning
a general description or plan showing the essential features of something; the main points
Example
The teacher provided an outline of the course syllabus.
B2 noun /ˈdɛməˌkræt/

democrat

Meaning
a supporter of democracy or a member of the Democratic Party in the US
Example
He is a strong democrat who believes in equal rights.
B2 adjective /senˈseɪʃənəl/

Sensational

Meaning
causing great excitement or shock; extremely impressive
Example
The sensational performance left the audience speechless.
B2 noun /ˈpen.ʃən/

Pension

Meaning
a regular payment made to someone who is no longer working because of age or disability
Example
After retirement, he receives a monthly pension from the company.
B2 adjective /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪkl/

economical

Meaning
Careful in the use of resources; providing good value or efficiency.
Example
Driving a hybrid car is economical in the long run.
B2 noun ˈwɜːrkˌləʊd

workload

Meaning
The amount of work to be done by someone or something.
Example
His workload has increased dramatically in the past month.
B2 verb /kriːp/

creep

Meaning
to move slowly and quietly; to make someone feel uncomfortable
Example
She crept quietly up the stairs to avoid waking anyone.
B2 noun /ˈpaɪ.rə.si/

Piracy

Meaning
the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea; the unauthorized use or reproduction of copyrighted material
Example
Software piracy costs companies billions of dollars annually.
B2 verb /məˈnɪpjʊleɪt/

manipulate

Meaning
to handle or control skillfully; to influence someone in a clever way
Example
She can manipulate the software to create stunning graphics.
B2 noun /ɪˈkweɪʒən/

equation

Meaning
a mathematical statement that shows the equality of two expressions
Example
He solved the equation to find the value of x.
B2 noun /ˈspɛʃəlti/

specialty

Meaning
a particular area of study, work, or interest; something in which a person or place excels
Example
Her specialty is pediatric medicine.
B2 noun noʊˈbel praɪz

Nobel Prize

Meaning
Any of six international prizes awarded annually for outstanding work in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, economics, and the promotion of peace.
Example
Nobel Prize recognition evaded Bose's contributions.
B2 noun /əˈkʌmplɪʃmənt/

accomplishment

Meaning
something that has been achieved successfully
Example
Graduating from university was a major accomplishment for him.
B2 noun /ˈwɪzərd/

Wizard

Meaning
a man who is supposed to have magical powers; a person who is very skilled in a particular area
Example
The wizard performed amazing magic tricks.
B2 noun /pɔːrtʃ/

porch

Meaning
a covered area at the entrance of a building, often with a roof and open sides
Example
We sat on the porch and enjoyed the evening breeze.
B2 noun /dɪˈrɛktəri/

directory

Meaning
a book or online resource listing people, businesses, or services with relevant details
Example
I need to find a plumber in the phone directory.
B2 noun ˈɪnər strɛŋkθ

inner strength

Meaning
Mental or spiritual power that helps a person cope with difficulties.
Example
Community service fosters inner strength in individuals.
B2 verb /roʊm/

roam

Meaning
to walk or travel without a specific destination; to wander
Example
Wild animals roam freely in the forest.
B2 noun /ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜːr/

Entrepreneur

Meaning
a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses
Example
The young entrepreneur started her own tech company at age 22.
B2 noun /ˈspætʃ.ʊ.lə/

Spatula

Meaning
a kitchen utensil with a flat, flexible blade used for mixing, spreading, or lifting food
Example
I used a spatula to flip the pancakes in the pan.
B2 adjective /ˌθɛr.əˈpjuː.tɪk/

therapeutic

Meaning
Having a healing or beneficial effect on the body or mind.
Example
Meditation is highly therapeutic for mental well-being.
B2 adjective /naɪˈiːv/

naive

Meaning
Having a lack of experience or sophistication; overly innocent or trusting.
Example
She was naive to believe the scammer’s story.
B2 adjective /ræʃ/

rash

Meaning
Acting quickly without careful consideration; reckless.
Example
It was a rash decision to invest without research.
B2 adjective /ˈrɒt.ən/

Rotten

Meaning
decayed; spoiled; bad
Example
The apple is rotten and should be thrown away.
B2 verb /slæʃ/

slash

Meaning
to cut with a sharp blade; to reduce drastically
Example
The company slashed prices to attract more customers.
B2 adverb /rɪˈmɑːrkəbli/

remarkably

Meaning
in a way that is worthy of attention or notice; surprisingly
Example
She did remarkably well in the competition.
B2 adjective /ˈkjuːbən/

cuban

Meaning
relating to Cuba, its people, or its culture
Example
We enjoyed delicious Cuban coffee at the café.
B2 verb ˈɛskəleɪt

escalate

Meaning
To increase rapidly; to become more intense or serious
Example
The aging population is escalating at an alarming rate.
B2 noun /ˈkrɪstəl/

crystal

Meaning
a clear, transparent mineral or glass that forms a solid structure with regular patterns
Example
She wore a necklace made of sparkling crystal.
B2 noun /sneɪl/

Snail

Meaning
a small soft creature with a shell on its back that moves very slowly
Example
The snail left a shiny trail as it crawled across the leaf.
B2 noun /ˈɔːltər/

Altar

Meaning
a raised structure on which offerings or sacrifices are made to a deity
Example
The bride and groom stood before the altar during the ceremony.
B2 adverb /bɪˈfɔːr.hænd/

Beforehand

Meaning
in advance; ahead of time; earlier
Example
We prepared everything beforehand.
B2 adverb /ˈskeəs.li/

Scarcely

Meaning
hardly; barely; only just
Example
I could scarcely believe my eyes.
B2 verb /ˈæmplɪˌfaɪ/

amplify

Meaning
to make sounds louder; to make something larger or more significant
Example
The microphone amplifies her voice.
B2 adverb /ˌɪndəˈrɛktli/

indirectly

Meaning
in a way that is not direct; through an intermediate means or influence
Example
The policy affected small businesses indirectly.
B2 adjective /ˈfræntɪk/

frantic

Meaning
Extremely anxious, hurried, or out of control due to fear or excitement.
Example
She made a frantic call to her family after the accident.
B2 noun/verb /hɜːrd/

herd

Meaning
a large group of animals of the same type that live and feed together; or to gather animals into a group.
Example
The shepherd herded the sheep into the pen.
B2 noun /əˌrɪʒ.əˈnæl.ə.ti/

Originality

Meaning
the quality of being novel or unusual; the ability to think independently and creatively
Example
The artist's work showed great originality and creativity.
B2 noun /ˈbel.i/

Belly

Meaning
the front part of the human trunk below the ribs, containing the stomach and bowels; abdomen
Example
The baby kicked in her belly during pregnancy.
B2 noun /ɡɪɡ/

gig

Meaning
A live performance by a musician, band, or entertainer; also a temporary job.
Example
The band has a gig at the local club tonight.
B2 noun /ˈwʊlən dres/

Woolen dress

Meaning
a dress made from wool fabric, typically worn in cold weather
Example
She wore a warm woolen dress during the winter months.
B2 noun /ˌrɛɡ.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

regulation

Meaning
A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
Example
Government regulation ensures fair business practices.
B2 noun /ˈfeð.ər/

Feather

Meaning
one of the light structures that cover a bird's body
Example
The peacock has beautiful colorful feathers.
B2 noun, adjective /prɪˈmɪər/ or /ˈpriːmiər/

premier

Meaning
the head of government in some countries; first in importance or rank
Example
The French premier addressed the nation.
B2 adjective /ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl/

surgical

Meaning
relating to or involving surgery
Example
She underwent surgical treatment to repair the damage.
B2 noun /ˌsuːpərɪnˈtɛndənt/

superintendent

Meaning
a person who oversees, manages, or directs an organization, building, or project
Example
The superintendent visited the classrooms to check on progress.
B2 noun /ˈmʌð.ər.hʊd/

Motherhood

Meaning
the state of being a mother; the qualities of a mother
Example
She embraced the joys and challenges of motherhood.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

incapable

Meaning
lacking the ability, skill, or capacity to do something
Example
He is incapable of understanding complex instructions.
B2 noun /ɡriːf/

Grief

Meaning
deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death; trouble or suffering
Example
The family was overwhelmed with grief after losing their beloved pet.
B2 verb /plaʊ/

plough

Meaning
to break up and turn over soil using a plough; to move through something with difficulty
Example
The farmer ploughs the field every spring.
B2 noun /ˈfriːˌlænsər/

freelancer

Meaning
A person who works independently without being permanently employed by one organization.
Example
She works as a freelancer designing websites for different clients.
B2 adjective /ˈhez.ɪ.tənt/

Hesitant

Meaning
uncertain or unwilling to act; showing doubt or reluctance
Example
She was hesitant to accept the job offer.
B2 noun /ˈzɪɡzæɡ/

Zigzag

Meaning
a line or course having abrupt alternate right and left turns; a pattern of sharp turns
Example
The road follows a zigzag pattern up the mountain.
B2 noun /vəˈlɪd.ɪ.ti/

Validity

Meaning
the quality of being legally or officially acceptable; the quality of being logically or factually sound
Example
The validity of the contract expires next month.
B2 noun /ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒi/

anthropology

Meaning
the scientific study of humans, their societies, cultures, and development
Example
She decided to major in anthropology at university.
B2 noun /ˈwɜːrʃɪp/

Worship

Meaning
the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity; religious devotion and practice
Example
They gather every Sunday for worship.
B2 verb /dɪˈzɒlv/

dissolve

Meaning
to melt or become liquid; to officially end or break up an agreement or organization
Example
The sugar will dissolve quickly in hot tea.
B2 noun /kraɪst/

christ

Meaning
the title given to Jesus, considered the Messiah in Christianity
Example
Christ is central to Christian faith.
B2 noun ɪnˌdʌstrɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃən

industrialization

Meaning
The development of industries in a country or region on a wide scale.
Example
Industrialization changed the global economy dramatically.
B2 noun /ˈwɑː.ʃər mæn/

Washer man

Meaning
a person whose job is to wash clothes and linens for others
Example
The washer man collected dirty clothes from every household in the village.
B2 noun /ˈfleɪvər/

flavor

Meaning
The distinctive taste of a food or drink.
Example
This ice cream has a delicious mango flavor.
B2 verb /ɪnˈdjuːs/

induce

Meaning
to cause or persuade someone to do something; to bring about a result
Example
The doctor induced sleep with a mild sedative.
B2 noun /krɑk pɑt/

Crock pot

Meaning
an electric cooking pot that cooks food slowly at low temperatures
Example
I put the chicken and vegetables in the crock pot before going to work.
B2 noun ˈmaɪl.stəʊn

milestone

Meaning
An important event or stage in the development, progress, or history of something.
Example
This discovery is a milestone in biotechnology.
B2 adverb /ˌnɒnˈstɒp/

Non-stop

Meaning
continuing without stopping; without interruption
Example
The train traveled non-stop from London to Paris.
B2 noun /ˈpælət/

palette

Meaning
a thin board or surface on which an artist sets and mixes colors; also a range of colors used in art or design
Example
The artist mixed vibrant shades on her palette before starting the painting.
B2 noun /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

Liberty

Meaning
the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views
Example
The Statue of Liberty represents freedom and democracy.
B2 adjective /ˈhoʊl.səm/

Wholesome

Meaning
conducive to or promoting moral or physical well-being; healthy
Example
Eating wholesome food is important for good health.
B2 noun /ˈsætaɪər/

satire

Meaning
The use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize people's stupidity or vices.
Example
The play was a brilliant satire on modern politics.
B2 adjective kəˈləʊ.ni.əl

colonial

Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of a colony or colonialism, especially involving the control of one country by another.
Example
Colonial rule suppressed local governance.
B2 noun /ˌvaɪ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/

Violation

Meaning
the action of violating someone or something; the action of breaking or failing to comply with a rule or formal agreement
Example
The company was fined for violation of environmental regulations.
B2 noun /ˈpɒm.ɪˌɡræn.ɪt/

Pomegranate

Meaning
a round fruit with thick red skin containing many small red seeds with juice
Example
The pomegranate seeds were sweet and refreshing.
B2 noun /ˈhaɪdrədʒən/

hydrogen

Meaning
a colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas that is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe
Example
Hydrogen is used as a clean fuel in many energy systems.
B2 noun /ˈmɪsaɪl/ or /ˈmɪsəl/

missile

Meaning
a weapon that is self-propelled and directed toward a target
Example
The army launched a missile towards the enemy base.
B2 verb /ˈkɒmpənseɪtɪd/

compensated

Meaning
to have been given something, typically money, as a recompense for loss, suffering, or work done
Example
The workers were compensated for their overtime hours.
B2 noun/verb /ˈpriːfɪks/

prefix

Meaning
a word, letter, or number placed before another; as a verb, to add something in front of something else
Example
Developers often prefix variables with an underscore.
B2 noun /kəˈlɑːʒ/

collage

Meaning
A piece of art made by sticking various materials such as photographs or paper onto a surface.
Example
She created a collage using old magazine pictures.
B2 noun /ˈteɪbəlˌspun/

tablespoon

Meaning
a spoon used for serving or eating food, typically holding about 15 milliliters
Example
She stirred the soup with a tablespoon.
B2 noun /beɪ/

Bay

Meaning
a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward
Example
The boats are anchored in the bay.
B2 noun /kəmˈpɑːrt.mənt/

Compartment

Meaning
a separate section or division of a larger space, especially in a train
Example
We found seats in the first-class compartment.
B2 noun /kənˈsɛnt/

consent

Meaning
permission for something to happen or agreement to do something
Example
She gave her consent before the operation.
B2 verb /ˈræl.i/

rally

Meaning
to come together for a common purpose or to recover strength or spirit
Example
The team rallied after halftime and won the match.